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Glite Dictionary
🔝 The highest amount 🔝 To reach the top 🔝 Greatest possible
to max

to max

46 5.6
To reach the highest possible level or amount
  • verb
  • /mæks/
  • Informal
translation icon : maximizar
  • She wanted to max out her savings contributions this year to take full advantage of the tax benefits.

I was in restaurants what I maxed out at.

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Examples

  • Sure, a family could afford to max out its one credit card... maybe.

    Blog text (3)

  • Our advice is to keep contributing more and more until you max out retirement contributions.

    Blog text (14)

  • At the beginning of an athlete's career, most are trying to max out their earning potential.

    Blog text (11)

  • We had good credit, but it was maxed out with the new house and the move.

    Blog text (15)

  • I maxed out a credit card, and I sold my car to CarMax.

    80 for Brady (2023)

  • Kay had maxed out her credit cards and was falling behind in her mortgage payments.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • The Prime Minister says he's maxed out on his support for school pupils.

  • Streets are crowded, the malls are jammed, people max out their credit cards...

    The Santa Clause 2 (2002)

  • I just maxed out my credit cards buying you Chunky Monkey.

    The Chateau Meroux (2011)

  • At this point in time, we've pretty much maxed out our hydro resources.

    Blog text (7)

Synonyms

to maximize
vsto max
133 4.1

To make something as large or useful as possible

is about reaching or using the highest amount rather than actively increasing
to peak
vsto max
101 4.2

To reach the highest point in amount or quality

is similar but also covers using or applying something to reach top levels
to max out
vsto max
  • Informal
27 4.9

Reach the highest level or amount

is broader including reaching or using the highest amount
to top out
vsto max
  • Informal
7 5.4

To reach the highest level or amount

is broader and also covers using or reaching highest amounts, not only peaking
maximizing
vsto max
4.2

To make something as big or useful as possible

is about reaching or using the highest amount rather than the ongoing process

Antonyms

to minimize
117 3.7

Make something as small as possible to reduce its effect

Idioms

to the max
  • Informal
13 7.7

As much as possible

fun to the max
  • Informal
8.3

A very enjoyable and exciting time for everyone

out of Mad Max
  • UK
9.9

Very chaotic and dangerous like scenes from the Mad Max films

Phrasal Verbs

to max out
  • Informal
27 4.9

Reach the highest level or amount

Compounds

max facs
  • Jargon
6.8

Surgery on the jaw and face to fix injuries or problems

Surface Forms

max infinitive
maxed past
maxed past participle
maxing present participle
maxes third person singular

Etymology

Max as a verb is linked to maximize and the Latin maximus meaning 'greatest'. To max something is to make it as large or as full as possible, which is why the verb means to reach the highest level.